1. Review the Brief Chapter Summary.
2. Answer and submit the Learning Objectives. Write the question and then the answer.
3. Complete and submit the Learning Activity. Write the question and then the answer.
BRIEF CHAPTER SUMMARY
Emerging adulthood is a recently identified period of development that is marked by great challenge and uncertainty.
Young people between the ages of 18 and 25 in industrialized nations are making decisions about education, romantic
commitments, and careers later than young people of past generations. Released from the oversight of parents but not
yet immersed in adult roles, emerging adults are free to explore many different life paths. Changes in reasoning
capacity permit emerging adults to revise their political and religious perspectives.
Cultural changes have contributed to the appearance of this new period of development. As the economies of
industrialized nations have become more technologically advanced and information-based, higher levels of education
are needed to enter highly-skilled, well-paid careers. Prosperous nations continue to experience gains in life
expectancy and, as one result, less reliance on young people's labor. Together, these changes delay the need for young
adults to establish financial independence or career commitment, allowing them more time for exploring multiple
options. These benefits, however, are not always available to those living in impoverished areas.
To make a successful transition to adulthood, emerging adults must acquire new knowledge and skills.
Researchers who study postformal thought have shown that college students make substantial strides in cognition.
Older students make more effective use of relativistic thinking than younger students, as they are more aware of the
existence of multiple truths. Exposure to a variety of viewpoints encourages young people to look at themselves. As
self-understanding increases, emerging adults experience advances in identity in the areas of love, work, and
worldview.
Taking a more active role in their own development and participating in vigorous explorations, emerging adults
face increased risks. Feelings of loneliness peak during the late teens and early twenties as young people begin to live
on their own, often making frequent moves. Certain personal attributes and social supports increase resilience and
foster successful passage through this period.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After reading this chapter, you should be able to:
17.1 Describe emerging adulthood, noting characteristics of this new transitional period of development.
(pp. 642-643)
17.2 Describe the cultural changes that contributed to emerging adulthood, and explain why this period is only
available to certain groups of young people. (pp. 643-644)
17.3 Discuss cognitive, emotional, and social changes that take place during emerging adulthood. (pp. 645-652)
17.4 Discuss the risks faced by emerging adults, and summarize factors that foster resilience and a successful
transition to adulthood. (pp. 652-654)
LEARNING ACTIVITY 17.3: Interviewing Friends or Relatives about Experiences with Leaving Home (pp. 642-643)
Interview three or four friends or relatives about experiences with leaving home. For example, at what
age did the individual leave home? What were the circumstances surrounding the departure (for example, work,
college, marriage)? Has the individual returned home since the initial departure? If so, why? Was leaving home a
stressful event? Explain. Next, compare the answers with research in the text. Did most people leave
home in their late teens and early twenties? Did timing of departure vary with the reason for leaving? Did individuals
return home at least once after their initial departure?